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15 March 2013

Indianism is a term exclusive to Indian English. I could list few terms that we usually use though we should not be using as per Standard English. Do the needfulDo the needful is very old-fashioned English, It went out of style decades ago, about the time the British left. This term is outdated all over the world except in India.Examples:I have done the needful. – IncorrectI have done what is necessary or needed. – CorrectPlease do the needful. - IncorrectPlease do what is necessary or needed. - CorrectPlease do the needful to attend the mentioned training. – IncorrectPlease do what is necessary to attend the meeting. - Correct

My computer's broken. Please do the needful. - IncorrectMy computer is broken. Please look into this. - CorrectI have sent you an email. Read it and do the needful. – IncorrectI have sent you an email. Read the email and do what is necessary. – CorrectI am very hungry. Please do the needful. - IncorrectI am very hungry. Please make me a sandwich. – CorrectKindly revertIn Standard English, Revert means to return to a former state.Examples:Kindly revert back to me. - IncorrectPlease reply to me. – CorrectKindly revert back for any clarification. - IncorrectPlease contact us should you need assistance to proceed from here. – CorrectPlease feel free to call us for clarifications. – CorrectPlease revert at the earliest. - IncorrectPlease reply at the earliest. – CorrectReply backThe use of reply back is wrong because it contains a redundancy. The word reply means to say something back. The meaning of the word back is already contained in reply, so there is no need to use them together.Examples:Please reply back as soon as possible. - IncorrectPlease reply as soon as possible. – CorrectI’ll reply back to the email. - IncorrectI will reply to the email. – CorrectPreponePrepone is one of a few words that we Indians have created for our own convenience. Apparently, this phrase has become so popular that it’s even been added to a few dictionaries!Examples:I have preponed the meeting. - IncorrectI have rescheduled the meeting to . – CorrectPlease do XYZ without failHere, Please is a request and without fail is an order.Examples:Kindly attend the meeting without fail. – IncorrectKindly attend the meeting. Please do not fail me in this. – CorrectPlease intimate meTo intimate is a rare verb meaning to inform someone privately.

Examples:Please intimate me. - IncorrectPlease inform me. – CorrectDo one thingDo one thing is the direct translation of Ek kaam karo and this usage is incorrect. One thing can be ten things, but it is still one thing.Examples:Scenario: My computer keeps getting hung.Indian Usage: Do one thing. Clear your history. Delete your cookies. Defrag your hard drive. Run a virus check. Restart your computer.

Correct Usage: Do the following:Clear your history.Delete your cookies.Defrag your hard drive.Run a virus check.Restart your computer.Do one thing. Take a left turn there. - IncorrectYou can take a left turn there. – Correct

Let’s do one thing, let’s order both veg and non-veg. - IncorrectLet’s order Vegetarian and Non Vegetarian. – Correct

Do one thing, set the headline in Times New Roman. - IncorrectYou can set the headline in Times New Roman. – Correct

You have carpal tunnel? Do one thing, adjust your chair higher, put something underneath your feet, and put the keyboard on your lap. - IncorrectYou have carpal tunnel? Adjust your chair higher, put something underneath your feet, and put the keyboard on your lap. – CorrectNote: Carpal tunnel means cramp.Out of StationOut of Station is widely used in India which is incorrect.

Examples:If you lose your card or it stops working and you happen to be out of station, then you cannot apply for a new card. - IncorrectIf you lose your card or it stops working and you happen to be out of town, then you cannot apply for a new card. – CorrectHe is out of station. - IncorrectHe is out of town. – CorrectDiscuss aboutThe word discuss means to talk about. There is no need to insert the word about after discuss.Examples:What shall we discuss about today? - IncorrectWhat shall we discuss today? – CorrectLet’s discuss about the issues. - IncorrectLet’s discuss the issues. – CorrectOrder forWhen you order something, you order it, you do not order for it.Examples:Ordering for Pizza. - IncorrectOrdering Pizza. – CorrectI’ll order for Pizza. - IncorrectI’ll order Pizza. – Correct

How to order for Pizza? - IncorrectHow to order Pizza. – CorrectCan be able toBoth can and able to hold the same meaning.

Examples:I can be able to do it. - IncorrectI will be able to do it. – CorrectI can do it. – Correct

You can be able to understand. - IncorrectYou will be able to understand. – CorrectYou can understand. – CorrectI can be able to communicate in English with people all over the world. - IncorrectI am able to communicate in English with people all over the world. – CorrectI will be able to communicate in English with people all over the world. – Correct